scholarly journals Texture and mineralogical composition of Quaternary terrestrial and marine sediments from Macedonia and Thrace, Greece

2019 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 137
Author(s):  
Ananias Tsirambides
Keyword(s):  
Clay Minerals ◽  
Clay Fraction ◽  
Mineralogical Composition ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Coarse Grained ◽  
Quartz Content ◽  
Fine Grained ◽  
Weathering Processes ◽  
The North ◽  
Interstratified Phase

Clastic sediments collected from land and gulfs of Macedonia and Thrace in Greece are examined on the basis of their texture and mineral composition. All terrestrial samples are coarse-grained and poorly sorted, with angular to sub-angular grains. These are mainly composed of quartz and feldspars, followed by micas, calcite and Fe-Mg minerals. Among the clay minerals illite predominates over smectite and smectite over vermiculite (+chlorite+kaolinite). In addition, the interstratified phases illite/smectite, chlorite/vermiculite, and smectite/vermiculite are present in significant amounts in the clay fraction (<2 μm), signifying the incomplete weathering of the primary minerals. Mixing during transportation, flocculation, differential settling processes and organic matter are the main mechanisms for the distribution of the discharged terrigenous load into the North Aegean Gulfs. All gulf bottom samples are coarse to fine grained and medium sorted, and their grains are angular to sub-angular. Quartz and feldspars predominate. In addition, biogenic calcite, micas and various Fe-Mg minerals exist as primary and/or accessory minerals. Among clay minerals, illite predominates over smectite and smectite over kaolinite (+chlorite+vermiculite). Almost in all gulf sediments the interstratified phase illite/smectite is apparent. The presence of feldspars and Fe-Mg minerals, as well as the high content of clay minerals and the polymodal grain-size distribution with angular to sub-angular grains, signify mineralogical and textural immaturity of all the examined sediments, as well as predominance of mild climatic conditions and thus mild weathering processes. The quartz content in these sediments is usually <70%. Therefore, a sedimentation cycle of these materials has not been completed.

scholarly journals MlNERALOGICAL COMPOSITION AND PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF MUDDY FORMATIONS FROM THESSALONIKI AND CHALKIDIKI PREFECTURES

2004 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 511
Author(s):  
Α. Καστρινάκη ◽  
Α. Τσιραμττίδης ◽  
Κ. Μιχαηλίδης ◽  
Γ. Τρώντσιος
Keyword(s):  
Grain Size ◽  
Clay Minerals ◽  
Mineralogical Composition ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Physical Characteristics ◽  
Weathering Processes

The myddy formations studied are characterized by the presence of abundant friable aggregates. Lithologically they belong to the sandy muds up to muddy sands. As their grain size decreases the percentage of the clay minerals increases significantly. Among the clay minerals illite predominates, while smectite, vermiculite, chlorite, kaolinite and their interstratified phases, follow. The presence of amphiboles and pyroxenes, as well as the high content of clay minerals and feldspars in these muddy formations, signify their mineralogical immaturity and the predominance of mild climatic conditions and thus mild weathering processes. The compaction and induration degree of the studied sediments is medium, because of the presence of grains of various granulometrie and mineralogical composition. Their swelling and shrinkage grade is relative high, because of the high content of smectite and its interstratified phases.

scholarly journals Heavy minerals in the Wajid Sandstone from Abha-Khamis Mushayt area, southwestern Saudi Arabia: implications on provenance and regional tectonic setting

GeoArabia ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 77-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahbub Hussain ◽  
Lameed O. Babalola ◽  
Mustafa M. Hariri
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Tectonic Setting ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Heavy Mineral ◽  
Heavy Minerals ◽  
Coarse Grained ◽  
Distribution Data ◽  
The South ◽  
Quartz Content ◽  
The North

ABSTRACT The Wajid Sandstone (Ordovician-Permian) as exposed along the road-cut sections of the Abha and Khamis Mushayt areas in southwestern Saudi Arabia, is a mediun to coarse-grained, mineralogically mature quartz arenite with an average quartz content of over 95%. Monocrystalline quartz is the dominant framework grain followed by polycrystalline quartz, feldspar and micas. The non-opaque heavy mineral assemblage of the sandstone is dominated by zircon, tourmaline and rutile (ZTR). Additional heavy minerals, constituting a very minor fraction of the heavies, include epidote, hornblende, and kyanite. Statistical analysis showed significant correlations between zircon, tourmaline, rutile, epidote and hornblende. Principal component R-mode varimax factor analysis of the heavy mineral distribution data shows two strong associations: (1) tourmaline, zircon, rutile, and (2) epidote and hornblende suggesting several likely provenances including igneous, recycled sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. However, an abundance of the ZTR minerals favors a recycled sedimentary source over other possibilities. Mineralogical maturity coupled with characteristic heavy mineral associations, consistent north-directed paleoflow evidence, and the tectonic evolutionary history of the region indicate a provenance south of the study area. The most likely provenances of the lower part (Dibsiyah and Khusayyan members) of the Wajid Sandstone are the Neoproterozoic Afif, Abas, Al-Bayda, Al-Mahfid, and Al-Mukalla terranes, and older recycled sediments of the infra-Cambrian Ghabar Group in Yemen to the south. Because Neoproterozic (650-542 Ma) rocks are not widespread in Somalia, Eritrea and Ethiopia, a significant source further to the south is not likely. The dominance of the ultrastable minerals zircon, tourmaline and rutile and apparent absence of metastable, labile minerals in the heavy mineral suite preclude the exposed arc-derived oceanic terrains of the Arabian Shield in the west and north as a significant contributor of the sandstone. An abundance of finer-grained siliciclastic sequences of the same age in the north, is consistent with a northerly transport direction and the existence of a deeper basin (Tabuk Basin?) to the north. The tectonic and depositional model presented in this paper differs from the existing model that envisages sediment transportation and gradual basin filling from west to east during the Paleozoic.

scholarly journals GENESIS AND PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE NEOGENE RED BEDS FROM THE CEDARHILS OF THESSALONIKI, MACEDONIA , GREECE

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 708 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Tsirambides
Keyword(s):  
Clay Minerals ◽  
Urban Forest ◽  
Clay Fraction ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Region ◽  
Physical Characteristics ◽  
Coarse Grained ◽  
Red Beds ◽  
Primary Minerals ◽  
In Situ Weathering

The genesis and the physical characteristics of the Neogene red beds of the cedar hills surrounding Thessaloniki are studied in this paper. The peri-urban forest, which covers these hills, has a 3,022 ha area. The topographic relief is smooth and is divided in eight small drainage basins, tapped through small creeks. The elevation of the surrounding hills varies between 85 and 560 m. The dominant land slopes vary between 20 and 55%. All the samples are coarse grained, poorly sorted and friable and present earthy lustre and red colour because of the extensive presence of iron oxides. Angular to sub-angular rock fragments derived from the metamorphic bedrock are very common. Petrographically, the studied red beds belong to the clayey sands. The extended presence (41-66%) of coarse silt and sand size grains (>20 pm) in the samples suggests a mild intensity of in situ weathering of the bedrock. X-ray diffraction analysis of the coarsest fractions 250-20 pm and 20-2 μιτι revealed in decreasing abundance the presence of quartz, feldspars, epidote, micas, chlorite, pyroxenes, amphiboles, and talc. These fractions contain the 2M polytype of mica, while in the fraction <2 pm the 1Μα polytype of illite predominates. In the clay fraction (<2 pm) illite, smectite, and chlorite predominate. The presence of mixed-layer minerals is limited, testifying the almost complete character of hydrolysis of the primary minerals. The formation of red beds took place on low relief land under alternating wet and dry seasons, which prevail in the eastern Mediterranean region since Neogene. The clay minerals are the in situ weathering products of the primary minerals of the greenschists, gneisses and gabbros predominating in the studied area. The extensive presence of clay size grains (11-26%) in the samples, their poor sorting, and their sub-angular morphology, indicate that the red beds are texturally immature. In addition, the abundance of feldspars and Fe-Mg minerals reflects mineralogical immaturity. The low relief and the long-lasting tectonic stability in the Thessaloniki district were essential for the significant thickness of the red beds. The oxygen isotope data of the <0.2 pm fraction (+18.2 to +18.8%o) confirm the pedogenic origin of the clay minerals present. The red beds studied present low plasticity with liquid limit (WÏ) 26.9 to 33.4% and plasticity index (lp) 9.1 to 17.3%. In addition, they have high consolidation index (lc) values (1.03 to 2.28). The swelling potential is low to medium and the activity varies between 0.5 and 1.0. The consolidation and induration degree of the samples analyzed is low, because of the great range of their mineralogical composition and the mild conditions of pressure and temperature to which they have been submitted. The studied red beds are not considered problematic for the foundation of various constructions on them.

Sedimentology, Mineral Facies, and Petrofabric of the Meaford–Dundas Formation (Upper Ordovician) in Southern Ontario

1973 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 1790-1804 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Czurda ◽  
C. G. Winder ◽  
R. M. Quigley
Keyword(s):  
Clay Minerals ◽  
Heavy Minerals ◽  
Carbonate Content ◽  
The South ◽  
Upper Ordovician ◽  
Quartz Content ◽  
Southern Ontario ◽  
The North ◽  
Bedding Planes ◽  
Diffraction Patterns

The Meaford–Dundas Formation in southern Ontario is a medium gray shale with good fissility and resistant interbeds of gray fossiliferous limestones and siltstones. The hard layers are up to 20 cm in thickness and comprise 10 to 20% of the formation. The shale layers vary in thickness from 50 cm to 2 m.The clay minerals are principally illite, iron-chlorite, and small amounts of vermiculite and mixed-layer types. The carbonate content seems constant across the area at about 4 to 5% of the formation, except for the southwestern area where the carbonate increases to 20 or 25%. This increase is chiefly in dolomite content, a feature which reflects such factors as original conditions of deposition and possibly diagenesis subsequent to burial. The quartz content in the shale beds, and especially in the hard interbeds, increases towards the north to an average of 35 to 40% compared with 10 to 15% in the south. Framboids (aggregates of pyrite grains in spheroidal clusters) are a striking feature of the shale beds of the Meaford–Dundas Formation in the Meaford area.Fabric studies by means of X-ray diffraction patterns and scanning electron photomicrographs reveal, in most cases, high parallelism of clay platelets in the bedding planes, resulting in the good fissility of the shale.The principal source rock areas are the Appalachian orogen in the east (Taconic Mountains), which probably supplied most of the clay minerals and some quartz, and the Canadian Shield in the north, which provided the basin of sedimentation in the south with heavy minerals and additional quartz.

Origin of glacial ridges (OIS 6) in the Kaskaskia Sublobe, southwestern Illinois, USA

2012 ◽  
Vol 78 (2) ◽  
pp. 341-352 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathan D. Webb ◽  
David A. Grimley ◽  
Andrew C. Phillips ◽  
Bruce W. Fouke
Keyword(s):  
Debris Flows ◽  
Spatial Arrangement ◽  
Coarse Grained ◽  
Ice Flow ◽  
Glacial Ice ◽  
Distinctive Features ◽  
Fine Grained ◽  
The North ◽  
Till Fabric ◽  
Glacial Landforms

AbstractThe origin of Illinois Episode (OIS 6) glacial ridges (formerly: ‘Ridged Drift’) in the Kaskaskia Basin of southwestern Illinois is controversial despite a century of research. Two studied ridges, containing mostly fluvial sand (OSL ages: ~ 150 ± 19 ka), with associated debris flows and high-angle reverse faults, are interpreted as ice-walled channels. A third studied ridge, containing mostly fine-grained till, is arcuate and morainal. The spatial arrangement of various ridge types can be explained by a glacial sublobe in the Kaskaskia Basin, with mainly fine-grained ridges along the sublobe margins and coarse-grained glaciofluvial ridges in a paleodrainage network within the sublobe interior. Illinois Episode till fabric and striation data demonstrate southwesterly ice flow that may diverge near the sublobe terminus. The sublobe likely formed as glacial ice thinned and receded from its maximum extent. The Kaskaskia Basin contains some of the best-preserved Illinois Episode constructional glacial landforms in the North American midcontinent. Such distinctive features probably result from ice flow and sedimentation into this former lowland, in addition to minimal postglacial erosion. Other similar OIS 6 glacial landforms may exist in association with previously unrecognized sublobes in the midcontinent, where paleo-lowlands might also have focused glacial sedimentation.

scholarly journals Mineralogical composition and physical characteristics of marly soils from Heraklion Crete

2001 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 851
Author(s):  
Α. ΤΣΙΡΑΜΠΙΔΗΣ ◽  
Θ. ΠΑΠΑΛΙΑΓΚΑΣ
Keyword(s):  
Clay Minerals ◽  
Clay Fraction ◽  
Soil Classification ◽  
Mineralogical Composition ◽  
Liquid Limit ◽  
Silty Clay ◽  
High Plasticity ◽  
Degree Of Consolidation ◽  
Very High

The mainly white-yellow marly soils studied present medium degree of consolidation and induration. The predominant grain size of the non - carbonate constituents is that of silt varying from 34 to 64%. According to the textural classification of soils of the SSDS the samples are mainly silty-clay loams with moisture capacity 30-40%. In the untreated samples in decreasing abundance the following minerals predominate: calcite (31-59%), clay minerals (20-34%) and quartz (12-20%). In the clay fraction (<2μπι) in decreasing abundance the following clay minerals (in discrete and interstratified phases) predominate: illite, smectite and vermiculite. Chlorite and kaolinite are missing. Mineralogically the marly soils are immature, because of the extended presence of Fe-Mg minerals (i.e. amphiboles, pyroxenes and clay minerals). According to the Unified Soil Classification System of the ASTM the studied marly soils mainly belong to the groups MH and CH (inorganic silts and inorganic clays respectively with high plasticity and liquid limit >50%), as well as to the group CL (inorganic clays with low plasticity and liquid limit <50%). The degree of consolidation and induration, as well as of compaction of these soils is medium. They contain significant amounts of discrete or interstratified smectite and mainly present high to very high swelling potential and activity between 0.5 and 2.0. It is concluded that specific precautions must be taken into account, when it is unavoidable the foundation of various constructions on these marly soils, because they swell and shrink extensively.

scholarly journals MINERAL COMPOSITION OF SOME LATGALE LAKE SEDIMENTS

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 304
Author(s):  
Rasma Tretjakova ◽  
Andris Karpovičs
Keyword(s):  
Grain Size ◽  
Lake Sediments ◽  
Size Distribution ◽  
Clay Minerals ◽  
Mineral Composition ◽  
Grain Size Distribution ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Clay Fraction ◽  
Fine Grained ◽  
Two Samples

Our research is focused on sedimentological conditions and postdepositional changes of recent fine grained lake sediments. We used bulk sediment mineralogical composition and grain size distribution as indicators to identify sediment source areas and possible changes during Holocene. We analysed fine grained (clayey) sediments from three Latgale lakes - Zeili, Pauguļi and Plusons, situated in Latgale upland. Lake sediments cover Late Pleistocene glacial deposits – loam and sandy loam. Bulk mineral composition of 6 sediment samples was determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Sediments contained typical minerals found in surrounding glacial sediments: rock-forming minerals as quartz, plagioclase, albite, enstatite, dolomite, calcite, and clay minerals - illite, kaolinite. To identify postdepositional changes in lake sediments of Holocene age clay minerals in clay fraction (<2 mkm) should be analysed. Particularly illite, smectite mixed layered minerals - illite/smectite (I/Sm) and chlorite. Additionally, grain size distribution of studied lake sediments was analysed. Accordingly, our studied sediments are clays, silty clays and clayey silts with bimodal particle distribution, except two samples from Zeiļi and Plusons with unimodal distribution.

Origin and physical and chemical characteristics of glacial overburden in Essex and Kent counties, southwestern Ontario

1997 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 233-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. F. Morris ◽  
R. I. Kelly
Keyword(s):  
Coarse Grained ◽  
Glacial Lake ◽  
Silty Clay ◽  
Fine Grained ◽  
The North ◽  
Geochemical Properties ◽  
Clayey Silt ◽  
Kent County ◽  
Stratigraphic Position ◽  
Physical And Chemical

The overburden of Essex and Kent counties, southwestern Ontario, has been described as consisting of a clayey silt to silty clay till overlying a gravelly unit resting on bedrock. Recent Quaternary geology mapping has identified additional materials and redefined the origin of others by determining the stratigraphic position and physical and geochemical properties of materials encountered in a sonic drilling program and field mapping. Catfish Creek Till was deposited on the bedrock surface during the Nissouri Stadial as ice advanced south over the area. As ice retreated during the Erie Interstade, fine-grained glaciolacustrine material was deposited in glacial Lake Leverett and overlay Catfish Creek Till. Tavistock Till was deposited over glacial Lake Leverett material as the Huron lobe readvanced south during the Port Bruce Stadial. As the Huron lobe retreated north, coarse-grained glaciolacustrine materials were deposited in the Leamington area. Ice from the Erie lobe deposited the Port Stanley Till along the north shore of Lake Erie in Kent County and deflected meltwater southward from the Huron lobe in the Blenheim area. A series of recessional moraines were deposited by the Huron lobe as it retreated north. The area is capped by a fine-grained glaciolacustrine deposit.

New Evidence Concerning the Original Order of Deposition of the Longmyndian Rocks

1948 ◽  
Vol 85 (2) ◽  
pp. 107-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Challinor
Keyword(s):  
Coarse Grained ◽  
The West ◽  
North West ◽  
The Road ◽  
Fine Grained ◽  
Original Order ◽  
The North ◽  
The Hill ◽  
New Evidence ◽  
The Village

During the war a large new quarry was opened in the Longmyndian rocks of Haughmond Hill, Shropshire. It is near the south-east edge of the hill, to the west of the road running north from Upton Magna and one mile from the village. On the sketch-map in the Shrewsbury Memoir (p. 58) two arrows are shown, at about this locality, recording dips of 50° in a south-easterly direction. I was told that there was a very small quarry here before the large quarry was excavated. The present quarry is even larger than that near Haughmond Abbey (Shrewsbury Memoir, p. 48), on the north-west side of the Pre-Cambrian outcrop, and the two quarries offer extensive and splendidly displayed exposures of Longmyndian rocks, one in the coarse-grained Western Longmyndian and the other in the fine-grained Eastern Longmyndian.

Uncommon preservation of dinosaur footprints in a tidal breccia: Eubrontes giganteus from the Early Jurassic Mongisty tracksite of Aveyron, southern France

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Jean-David Moreau ◽  
Jacques Sciau ◽  
Georges Gand ◽  
Emmanuel Fara
Keyword(s):  
Scale Up ◽  
Lower Jurassic ◽  
Depositional Environments ◽  
Early Jurassic ◽  
Coarse Grained ◽  
Southern France ◽  
Fine Grained ◽  
The North ◽  
Dinosaur Tracks ◽  
First Time

Abstract A recent excavation yielded 118 large tridactyl footprints in the Lower Jurassic Dolomitic Formation of the Causses Basin, at Mongisty in southern France. Most of the tracks are ascribed to Eubrontes giganteus Hitchcock, 1845. They are preserved on a surface of 53 m2 and form parallel rows with a preferential orientation towards the north. Such an abundance and density of E. giganteus is observed for the first time in the Early Jurassic from the Causses Basin. Sedimentological and ichnotaphonomical analyses show that the footprints were made at different time intervals, thus excluding the passage of a large group. In contrast to all other tracksites from the Dolomitic Formation, where tracks are preserved in fine-grained sediments corresponding to low-energy depositional palaeoenvironments, the tracks from Mongisty are preserved in coarse-grained sediment which is a matrix- to clast-supported breccia. Clasts consist of angular to sub-rounded, millimetric to centimetric-scale (up to 2 cm), poorly sorted, randomly oriented, homogeneous dolostone intraclasts floating in a dolomudstone matrix. Sedimentological analysis shows that the depositional environments of Mongisty varied from subtidal to intertidal/supratidal settings in a large and protected flat marsh. The lithology of the track-bearing surfaces indicates that the mudflat of the Causses Basin was sporadically affected by large mud flows that reworked and redeposited mudstone intraclasts coming from the erosion of upstream, dry and partially lithified mud beds. Throughout the world, this type of preservation of dinosaur tracks in tidal matrix- to clast-supported breccias remains rare.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document